Haj-2023: Almost 10,000 pilgrims from J-K to perform Haj this year

SRINAGAR — Close to 10,000 people from Jammu and Kashmir will perform the sacred pilgrimage of Haj as the draw of lots was held on Friday, officials said. They said that 1320 people, above 70 years of age and 132 women who had applied without a Mahram, will also perform the Haj 2023.

Talking to the news agency KNO, Haj Executive Officer, Abdul Salam Mir said that a total of 14271 applications had been received for Haj-2023.

“For the first time, women without Mahram have been allowed to go for the pilgrimage. 132 female applicants without Mahram have been selected this year. 1320 people who are above 70 years of age have also been selected under Reserved Category,” Mir said. He said that 14,000 applications were received for Haj 2023 from the people of J&K.

Earlier, the Saudi government had barred the intending pilgrims above 70 years of age in view of the Covid pandemic in years 2020 and 2021. However, the Saudi government recently announced that pilgrims above 70 years of age will be given priority and for the first time, the Saudi government also allowed female pilgrims without a Mahram to perform the holy pilgrimage of Haj.

“The draw of lots through random digital selection was held on Friday after 3:00 PM,” he said.

“The list of successful Intending Haj Pilgrims shall be published the next day (Saturday) besides uploading the same on the official website of J&K Haj Committee www.jkshc.org,” said an official communique from the Haj house J&K.

This year, there will be 25 embankment points for the pilgrims across J&K. The J&K House has been helpful to many pilgrims in getting their passport verification at the earliest. Haj House officials will facilitate the pilgrims from J&K by all means.

Pertinently, in February this year, the Saudi government announced to bar children below 12 years of from performing the Haj 2023. Haj Committee of India (HCoI) in its official communique had stated that Saudi government has decided to disallow children below 12 years of age in a bid to ensure their safety.

This year, HCoI, after holding deliberations with the Saudi government, had made Haj application forms available online free of cost. The HCoI had also announced that this year Haj will be cheaper by Rs 80,000 and each pilgrim will have to pay Rs 3.70 to Rs 3.80 lakh for performing the Haj pilgrimage.